A Space Force officer claimed that she considers whether a family will need access to gender-affirming “healthcare” when assigning officers, prioritizing it over personal qualifications in some instances.
Lt. Gen. DeAnna M. Burt said at a Department of Defense LGBTQ+ Pride event last week that in the wake of recent “anti-LGBTQ+ laws,” she feels “compelled” to prioritize placing officers in locations that will allow them to “(be) themselves,” even if it means that someone less qualified gets the role instead.
Burt said the following about her process for leadership selection:
Transformational cultural change requires leadership from the top, and we do not have time to wait. Since January of this year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level. That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole. When I look at potential candidates, say for Squadron command, I strive to match the right person to the right job. I consider their job performance and relevant experience first. However, I also look at their personal circumstances, and their family is also an important factor. If a good match for a job does not feel safe being themselves and performing at their highest potential at a given location, or if their family could be denied critical health care due to the laws in that state, I am compelled to consider a different candidate, perhaps less qualified.
Burt’s speech highlighted her beliefs about the importance of finding diversity and making LGBTQ+ people feel included in the U.S. military. She emphasized the importance of “allyship” and filling the Department of Defense (DoD) with people of more diverse backgrounds and lifestyles in order to be able to face challenges better.
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“As a cisgendered woman in the Department of Defense, I can personally attest to the importance of allies and advocacy,” she began her speech. Later on, she wrapped up her speech by asserting that “identifying allies is critical to the success of the DoD.”
Former Space Force Lt. Col. Matt Lohmeier responded to her remarks on Twitter, comparing her actions to the circumstances that contributed to his being let go from his position of command.
“I was once fired from command in @SpaceForceDoD for allegedly ‘being politically partisan while acting in an official capacity,’” Lohmeier said. “That allegation was totally false. Lt. Gen. Burt here demonstrates what being politically partisan while acting in an official capacity really looks like.”
Lehmeier was reportedly fired in response to his appearing on a conservative podcast and saying that Marxist ideology was infiltrating America’s military.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Space Force official responded to Burt’s remarks by saying that “leaders must identify and remove barriers facing their teams.”
“We have the top talent in the Nation, and we must enable them to perform their missions by ensuring they are not worried about the health and safety of their families,” the official told Fox. “The Department of the Air Force recognizes that various laws and legislation are being proposed and passed in states across America that may affect LGBTQ Airmen, Guardians, and/or their LGBTQ dependents in different ways.”
Though Burt didn’t elaborate on the specific “anti-LGBTQ+ laws” that concerned her, many have used the same terms to describe recent legislation in different states that restricts or prohibits “gender-affirming care” for minors, such as puberty blockers and surgeries.
For Burt's comments, watch below:
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